in 1983 - Sam Chatmon dies at age 86. American Delta blues guitarist, multi-musician and singer; born in Bolton, Mississippi. He started out as a member of his family's string band when he was young. The Chatmon band played rags, ballads, and popular dance tunes. Sam on his own played the banjo, mandolin, and harmonica in addition to the guitar, performing at parties and on street corners throughout Mississippi for small pay and tips. In the 1930s he recorded both with the Mississippi Sheiks, as well as with his brother Lonnie as the Chatman Brothers. Sam moved to Hollandale, Mississippi in the early 1940s and worked on plantations. He was re-discovered in 1960 and started a new chapter of his career as folk-blues artist. In the same year he recorded for the Arhoolie record label. He toured extensively during the 1960s and 1970s. He played many of the largest and best-known folk festivals, including the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C. in 1972, the Mariposa Fest in Toronto in 1974, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1976. Sam stayed an active performer and recording artist until his death.

in 1983 - Alex Westaway (UK guitarist, vocalist; Fightstar) is born
in 1983 - Will South (US vocalist, piano, guitar; Thirteen Senses) is bornin 1984 - gigs around the UK; The Smiths kicked off a UK tour at Coventry University, Tina Turner appeared at Gloucester Leisure Centre and The Alarm played The Mayfair in Newcastle upon Tyne.
in 1985 - Foreigner started a two-week run at No.1 on the US singles charts with 'I Want To Know What Love Is', also a UK No.1. London-born Mick Jones wrote the song and sang lead vocals with the British-American rock band.
in 1987 - Patrick "Spike" Hughes, British jazz bassist, composer, writer and bandleader, dies at 78.
in 1987 - Alfred Lion, German-American record company owner (Blue Note), dies at 78. Blue Note recorded some of the biggest name in jazz.in 1989 - George Michael received undisclosed damages in excess of £100,000 ($170,000) from The Sun newspaper over articles printed that stated Michael had gatecrashed a party given by Andrew Lloyd Weber and was drunk and abusive.in 1991 - KLF featuring The Children Of The Revolution were at No.1 on the UK single chart with '3am Eternal'. Also a No.5 hit in the US.
in 1991 - Sting scored his second UK No.1 album with 'The Soul Cages'.in 1992 - Danielle White(US singer) is bornin 1994 - Zilner T Randolph, American jazz trumpeter, composer, bandleader, arranger and teacher, dies at 95.
in 1997 - Francisco de Assis França "Chico Science" Brazilian singer and composer, one of the founders of the Mangue Bit cultural movement in the city of Recife, dies at 30 in a car accident.in 1997 - Placebo kicked of a 16-date UK tour at the Cambridge Junction.
in 1994 - Willie Mae Ford Smith, American gospel singer and teacher, dies at 89.
in 1994 - John Wesley Funchess Littlejohn, American blues singer/songwriter and guitarist, dies at 62.

in 1995 - Thomas Hayward Thomas Albert Tibbett dies at age 77. US operatic tenor born in Kansas City, Thomas made his debut with the New York City Opera in 1945, as Edmondo in Manon Lescaut, opposite Dorothy Kirsten in the title role. In 1945 and 1946, he was also seen there as Turiddu in Cavalleria rusticana and in The Gypsy Baron. Soon after Thomas made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, as Tybalt in Roméo et Juliette. His more notable roles at the Met included the Italian Singer in Der Rosenkavalier, Alfred in Die Fledermaus, the name part in Faust, and the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto. His final opera at that theatre was Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca, in 1957. In 1959, he returned to the City Opera, for Die Fledermaus, conducted by Julius Rudel. Through the first half of the 1960s Thomas appeared with companies throughout the United States, and was often heard on the radio and seen on television. He re-located to Dallas, where he began a successful second career as a pedagogue at Southern Methodist University. Among his students were Fernando del Valle, Clifton Forbis, Timothy Jenkins and Gary Lakes.

in 1999 - David McComb dies at age 36. Australian rock musician born in Perth, he was the singer-songwriter of a prominent Australian post-punk band, The Triffids. He formed the band while still at high school in 1976, first called Dalsy, later known as Blök Music then evolved into The Triffids. Their best known songs are "Wide Open Road"-1986, and "Bury Me Deep in Love"-1987; while their 1986 album, Born Sandy Devotional was featured by SBS television in 2007 on the Great Australian Albums series. and in 2010 it ranked 5th in the book 'The 100 Best Australian Albums'. The Australian Recording Industry Association/ARIA recognised The Triffids' importance on 1 July 2008 when they were inducted into their Hall of Fame. In 1996, he underwent a successful heart transplant, but continued his drinking and drug use (In January 1999 David was driving a car which was involved in a collision. He was hospitalised overnight and released with bruising. A few days later he suddenly died at home, his death was due to heroin toxicity and mild acute rejection of his 1996 heart transplant)

in 2000 - Moby kicked off a 9-date UK tour at the Anson Rooms, Bristol.
in 2001 - Bad Manners singer Buster Bloodvessel was told he was 'too fat' to survive an urgently needed operation. Buster collapsed on stage during a show in Italy but Doctors felt that his huge 30 stone frame might not make it through surgery.
in 2002 - The Phonographic Performance Ltd launched performersmoney.com for artists to check if they were owed any of the £10 million ($17 million) in unclaimed money. It showed that Michael Jackson was owed over £100,000 ($170,000) for ‘Say, Say, Say’, Stevie Wonder had money owing for ‘Ebony And Ivory’ and Ray Davies of The Kinks was owed a six-figure fee for ‘You Really Got Me’. Director Dominic McGonigal said “If anyone has seen Rick Astley please let him know, he is still earning money for his hits.”
in 2003 - Russian girl duo Tatu started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'All The Things She Said'. The song had been a hit on the Russian charts three years earlier. Tatu were the first Russian act to score a UK No 1.

in 2002 - Paul Baloff dies at age 41. American singer most noted as frontman and founder member of the thrash metal band Exodus fromed in 1981. After leaving Exodus in 1986, he sang in several other such as Heathen, Hirax and Piranha. In 1997, when Exodus decided to reunite, Paul once again sang with the band (sadly Paul suffered a stroke which left him in a coma and he was taken off life support by doctors)
in 2003 - Lou Harrison dies at age 85. American composer born in Portland, Oregon, but moved with his family to a number of locations around the San Francisco Bay Area as a child. He is particularly noted for incorporating elements of the music of non-Western cultures into his work, with a number of pieces written for Javanese style gamelan instruments, including ensembles constructed and tuned by himself and his partner William Colvig. The majority of his works are written in just intonation rather than the more widespread equal temperament. Harrison is one of the most prominent composers to have worked with microtones (died in Lafayette, Indiana, from a heart attack while on his way to a festival of his music at The Ohio State University.

in 2003 - Jennifer Lopez started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'All I Have'.
in 2004 - TV network CBS apologised for its broadcast of the American Super Bowl after Janet Jackson was left exposed when Justin Timberlake ripped her top. The pair had been performing a raunchy half-time duet when one of Jackson’s breasts was exposed as Timberlake pulled at her top. CBS quickly cut away from the scene but was still flooded with calls from angry viewers about the half-time entertainment, produced by MTV. Timberlake insisted it had been an accident saying "I am sorry that anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the half-time performance of the Super Bowl."
2005, former Libertines frontman Pete Doherty was arrested on suspicion of theft and assault. He was held in custody at a north London police station after an alleged incident at a hotel in Clerkenwell, central London.
in 2007 - Billy Henderson, one of the founders of US soul group The Spinners, died aged 67 after complications from diabetes. Had the 1980 UK No.1 & US No.2 single 'Working My Way Back To You.' [IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Peter/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/03/clip_image002.gif[/IMG]2007, US keyboardist Joe Hunter, a veteran session musician as one of the Funk Brothers who helped craft the distinctive Motown sound, died in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of 79. Hunter performed with such legendary Motown acts as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and Martha and the Vandellas.

in 2007 - Joe Hunter dies at age 79. African-American 3 time Grammy winning pianist, born in Jackson, Tennessee known for his recording session work as a pianist in Motown Records' in-house studio band, the Funk Brothers. He served as band director for the band from 1959 until 1964, when he left Motown (died at his Detroit apartment, cause of death is thought to be related to longtime diabetes)

in 2007 - Billy Henderson dies at age 67. American singer and an original member and founder of The Spinners, a soul vocal group. The Spinners were formed in 1954 by five friends in High School while growing up in Royal Oak Township Mi. They had several hits, such as "I'll Be Around" in 1972 and "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love", "Then Came You" with Dionne Warwick and "The Rubberband Man". The Spinners were nominated for six Grammy Awards and they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the second star for a musical group consisting of African-Americans (complications from diabetes)
in 2007 - Eric von Schmidt dies at age 75. American folk/blues singer-songwriter; he was associated with the folk/blues revival of the 1960s and a key part of the East Coast folk music scene that included Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. He was known mostly for his associations with Bob Dylan during the latter's early career. When Dylan travelled to Cambridge, where he met Joan Baez, he crashed with Eric, learned songs from him, and played his first game of croquet stoned. Dylan repaid the hospitality on his first album by crediting "Rick von Schmidt" in the spoken introduction to Baby Let Me Follow You Down, although, in fact, Eric's own version was adapted from Blind Boy Fuller's original. In 1997, he won a Grammy Award for his work on a compilation album entitled Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3, and in 2000 he received a lifetime achievement award from the society of music publishers, ASCAP, and was serenaded with his and Tom Rush's What a Mighty Storm (Eric suffered a stroke in 2006, and sadly died seven months later)

in 2008 - The Spice Girls cut short their reunion world tour, blaming "family and personal commitments". The band said they would end their tour in Toronto on 26 February, with planned shows in Beijing, Sydney, Cape Town and Buenos Aires being axed. A spokesman for the group said: "Sadly, the tour needs to come to an end by the end of February due to family and personal commitments.”

in 2009 - Sunny Skylar Selig Shaftel dies at age 95. American composer, singer, lyricist, and music publisher; as a singer, he appeared with a number of big bands, including those led by Ben Bernie, Paul Whiteman, Abe Lyman, and Vincent Lopez. After the end of the big band era, he continued to sing in nightclubs and theaters until 1952. As a composer and lyricist, Sunny was the last of the great Tin Pan Alley authors, with over 300 songs to his credit, songs he wrote the lyrics and/or music to include 'Amor', 'Besame Mucho', 'And So to Sleep Again', 'Gotta Be This or That', 'Hair of Gold', 'Eyes of Blue', 'There's Fire', 'Love Me with All Your Heart', 'Where There's Smoke', and 'You're Breaking My Heart' just to mention a few
in 2010 - Nelli Shkolnikova dies at age 82. Ukrainian-born Australian violinist and teacher; born in the Ukrainian village of Zolotonosha, at the age of three, she moved with her family to Moscow, at five she entered the Moscow Conservatory, where she studied with Lillia Kossodo and Yuri Yankelevich. Nelli played her first concerto at age eight and won the 1953 Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud Competition in Paris when she was 25. She then embarked on an international performing career, as well as teaching. She appeared in concert in the then Soviet Union, Europe, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and USA and became a faculty member at the Gnessin Institute of Music in Moscow. Between 1970 to 1982, she was barred from leaving the Soviet Union. Nelli finally defected to the West in Berlin on 26 November 1982, before settling in Melbourne, Australia, where she continurd to play, record and taught at the Victorian College of the Arts (cancer)

I really enjoy my music but don't ask me to talk about it as I simply haven't the vocabulary. Great "beat", great "tune", great "rhythm" would be the extent of my input - a lack of technical understanding and knowledge of the instruments.

in 1525 - Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina(Italian Renaissance composer) may have been born on this date or yesterday [as posted]; scholars are still debating the correct date as we go to press.in 1648 - Louis Bouteiller, French composer and master of music for the Cathedral of Le Mans, is born.
in 1715 - Gottfried Vopelius, German composer, dies at 70.
in 1736 - Johann Georg Albrechtsberger, Austrian organist, composer, Kapellmeister, music theorist and teacher, is born. Beethoven was among his pupils.

in 1740 - Guillaume Lasceux, French organist virtuoso and composer, is born.
in 1748 - Henri Madin, French composer and music theorist, dies at 49.
in 1755 - Florido Tomeoni, Italian composer and singing teacher, is born.
in 1784 - General John Fane, 11th Earl of Westmorland, English violinist, composer, soldier and diplomat, is born. I found him listed as being born on the 2nd of February as well, but since I missed him yesterday...
in 1809 - Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, German composer, pianist, organist, conductor and teacher, is born. Mendelssohn is one of the most popular of the Romantic composers, after a period of relative obscurity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
in 1814 - Johann Antonin Kozeluch, Czech composer, Kapellmeister, and teacher, dies at 75.
in 1817 - Emile Racine Gauthier Prudent, French pianist, composer and teacher, is born.
in 1842 - Sidney Clopton Lanier, American flautist, organist, composer, writer and teacher is born. Lanier served with the South during the American Civil War, and was captured and spent the rest of the war in a prison camp. It's thought that that is where he contracted tuberculosis, which ended his life early at 39.
in 1844 - Hector Berlioz'Carnaval Romain premieres in Paris.

in 1846 - Joseph Weigl, Austrian composer, conductor and Kapellmeister, dies at 79.
in 1868 - Damaso Ledesma, Spanish composer, musicologist and collector of folk songs, is born.
in 1882 - Guglielmo Quarenghi, Italian cellist, composer, teacher and musicologist, dies at 55.
in 1886 - Erwin Kroll, German composer, music historian and teacher, is born.
in 1887 - Carlo Jachino, Italian composer, musicologist and teacher, is born.
in 1895 - Nick Kenny, American lyricist and writer, is born.
in 1900 - Mabel Mercer, Englsh cabaret and jazz singer, is born. Sinatra said that he learned some of his phrasing and story telling from her.
in 1900 - Ottokar Eugen Novacek, Czech-Hungarian violinist, violist and composer, dies at 33.
in 1903 - Ivy Priaulx Rainier, South African-English composer, violinist and teacher, is born.
in 1903 - Frederick E Kitziger, German composer, dies at 59.
in 1904 - Luigi Dallapiccola, Italian pianist, composer and teacher, is born.
in 1906 - Ludvig Nielsen, Norwegian organist, composer and choirmaster, is born.
in 1909 - Johann Georg Herzog, German organist, composer and teacher, is dies at 86.
in 1910 - Blas Galindo Dimas, Mexican composer, teacher, conductor and musicologist, is born.
in 1910 - Jesse "Babyface" Thomas, American blues guitarist, and singer/songwriter, is born. The exact year of his birth is not known, being anywhere from 1908 to 1911, but this is the one most often mentioned.
in 1911 - Jehan Alain, French organist and composer, is born. Alain was killed in action in 1940, fighting against the Germans.

in 1947 - Dave Davies, guitarist, The Kinks, is born. (1964 UK No.1 & US No.7 'You Really Got Me', 1967 UK No.2 single 'Waterloo Sunset' plus 19 other UK Top 40 singles). 1947, Born on this day, Melanie Safka, US singer, songwriter, (1971 US No.1 & 1972 UK No.4 single 'Brand New Key').
in 1947 - Koos Alberts, Dutch pop singer/songwriter, is born. Actually, both he and Willeke Alberti are singers of levenslied, which is a sentimental, even tear-jerking pop song. Alberts is a paraplegic since a car accident in 1987, but made a comeback and is now an activist and fundraiser for research in the field.
in 1947 - Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk "Melanie," American folk, pop and country singer/songwriter and guitarist, is born.
in 1947 - Dave Davies, English rock guitarist, singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer (The Kinks), is born.
in 1947 - Anna Bahr-von Mildenburg, Austrian soprano and teacher, dies at 74.
in 1949 - Arthur “Killer” Kane, American rock bassist (New York Dolls), is born.
in 1949 - Ferdinand van Eis "Oscar Benton," Dutch blues singer/songwriter, guitarist and bandleader, is born.in 1949 - Terry Black (Canadian pop singer) is born
in 1949 - Linda Hargrove (US country singer-songwriter, multi-musician) is born
in 1951 - "Victor Borge Show" debuts on NBC TV.

in 1954 - Scot Halpin (US drummer; temporary drummer for The Who) is born
in 1956 - Lee Ranaldo, American rock singer/songwriter, guitarist, producer, writer and artist (Sonic Youth), is born.in 1957 - Tony Butler, bass, Big Country, (1983 UK No.10 single 'Fields Of Fire' plus 14 other UK Top 40 singles).in 1957 - Steven Stapleton (UK singer; Nurse With Wound) is born
in 1958 - Lee Crystal, American rock drummer (Joan Jett and The Blackhearts), is born.
in 1958 - Johannes Fransiscus Buziau, Dutch cabaret singer and comedian, dies at 81.
in 1959 - Buddy Holly/Charles Hardin Holley dies at age 22. American singer, guitarist, songwriter; born in Lubbock, Texas, into a musical family, he learned to play piano, guitar and fiddle as a young boy. During the fall of 1949 he met Bob Montgomery at Hutchinson Junior High School, they teamed up as "Buddy and Bob". Initially influenced by bluegrass music, they sang harmony duets at local clubs and high school talent shows. Buddy turned to rock music after seeing Elvis Presley sing live in Lubbock in early 1955. Later that year, Buddy opened on the same bill with Presley (Along with The Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, he died in a plane crash shortly after take-off from Clear Lake, Iowa. The plane a single-engined Beechcraft Bonanza was hired after his tour bus developed heating problems while travelling to Fargo, North Dakota, for the next show on their Winter Dance Party Tour which Holly had set - covering 24 cities in three weeks, to make money after the break-up of his band, The Crickets, and waiting for money due him from ex-manager Norman Petty)

in 1959 - The Big Bopper/Jiles Perry dies at age 28. American disc jockey, singer, and songwriter whose big voice and exuberant personality made him an early rock and roll star. Born in Sabine Pass, Texas, he worked part time at Beaumont, Texas radio station KTRM now KZZB. He was hired by the station full-time in '49, so he quit college. Big Bopper, who played guitar, began his musical career as a song writer, George Jones later recorded his "White Lightning", in 1959 and he also wrote "Running Bear" for his friend Johnny Preston, Big Bopper also sang background on "Running Bear", but the recording wasn't released until September 1959, after his death. Within several months it became No.1. He is maybe best known for his solo recording and self penned "Chantilly Lace" (As above... he died in a plane crash while on tour with Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens)

in 1959 - Ritchie Valens/Ricardo Esteban Valenzuela Reyes dies at age 17. American singer, songwriter and guitarist, born in Pacoima, California. Of Mexican decent he was brought up hearing traditional Mexican mariachi music, as well as flamenco guitar, R&B and jump blues, he expressed an interest in making music of his own by the age of 5. Ritchiebecame a rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement. Sadly his recording career lasted only eight months, but during this time, he scored several hits, most notably his 1958 "La Bamba", which was originally a Mexican folk song that he transformed with a rock rhythm and beat, making him a pioneer of the Spanish-speaking rock and roll movement. He influenced the likes of Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys and Carlos Santana among countless others at a time when there were very few Latinos in American rock and pop music. He is considered the first Latino to ever successfully cross over into Rock mainstream (As above... he died in a plane crash while on tour with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper)

in 1959 - Yasuharu Konishi (Japanese musician,composer, DJ; Pizzicato Five) is born
in 1959 - Laurence Andrew "Lol" Tolhurst, rock drummer and keyboardist (The Cure, Presence, Levinhurst), is born.in 1960 - Anthony Newley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Why', the singers first of two UK No.1 hits.

in 1960 - Ferdinando "Fred" Buscaglione dies at age 39. Italian singer and actor who became very popular in the late 1950s. When he was 11, his parents enrolled him at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Turin. During his teen years, he performed at night clubs in Turin singing jazz and playing double bass and violin.After the war, he resumed working as a musician for various bands. He then formed his own group, the Asternovas. He was gradually creating his public character, inspired by Clark Gable and Mickey Spillane's gangsters. He and his friend Leo Chiosso, wrote the hits that brought nation-wide fame to Fred: Che bambola /Whatta babe!, Teresa non sparare /Theresa, don't shoot!, Eri piccola così /You were this, this little, Guarda che luna /Look, What A beautiful Moon, Love in Portofino, Porfirio Villarosa, Whisky facile/Easy Whiskey. After perfectioning his routine in night clubs and theatres he started recording his songs in 1955; the first single 'Che bambola' and 'Giacomino' sold 1,000,000 copies. By the end of 1950s, Fred was one of Italy's most wanted entertainers. He appeared on advertising campaigns, television and in movies (car crash)

in 1961 - Linda Eder (American singer) is bornin 1965 - Nick Hawkins, English rock guitarist, composer and producer (Big Audio Dynamite II), is born.in 1966 - Beach Boy Carl Wilson married his girlfriend Annie Hinsche in LA.
in 1966 - during a UK tour Stevie Wonder played at the Scotch Of St James night-club in London.
in 1967 - Otis Redding, The Marvelettes, Aaron Neville, James and Bobby Purify and The Drifters all appeared at The Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, Tennessee. Tickets cost $2.50–3.50 (£1.47–2.06).
in 1967 - producer Joe Meek shot his landlady Violet Shenton and then shot himself at his flat in London, Meek produced The Tornadoes 'Telstar' the first No.1 in the US by a British group.
in 1967 - "Purple Haze" is recorded by Jimi Hendrix.

in 1967 - Joe Meek dies at age 37. English record producer born in Newent, Gloucestershire; a pioneering record producer and songwriter acknowledged as one of the world's first and most imaginative independent producers. He also became infamous for his eccentric behaviour and experimentation with instruments. His most famous work was The Tornados' hit "Telstar" in 1962, which became the first record by a British group to hit No.1 in the US Hot 100. It also spent five weeks at the top the UK singles chart, with Joe receiving an Ivor Novello Award for this production as the "Best-Selling A-Side" of 1962. His other notable hit productions include "Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O" and "Cumberland Gap" by Lonnie Donegan, "Johnny Remember Me" by John Leyton, "Just Like Eddie" by Heinz, "Angela Jones" by Michael Cox, "Have I the Right?" by The Honeycombs, and "Tribute to Buddy Holly" by Mike Berry. Joe's concept album I Hear a New World is regarded as a watershed in modern music for its innovative use of electronic sounds. He was also producing music for films, most notably Live It Up! (US title Sing and Swing), a 1963 pop music film starring Heinz Burt, David Hemmings and Steve Marriott, also featuring Gene Vincent, Jenny Moss, The Outlaws, Kim Roberts, Kenny Ball, Patsy Ann Noble and others. Joe wrote most of the songs and incidental music, much of which was recorded by The Saints and produced by himself. "Have I the Right?" would be Joe's last big hit. Joe had gained a reputation as being difficult to work with, he was very controlling and would often become angry and violent if musicians didn't do as he told them to. Joe's fascination with the unknown took a darker turn when he would experiment with the occult. He would engage in séances and leave recording equipment in graveyards to try and contact his hero Buddy Holly (he shot his landlady Violet Shenton and then shot himself at his flat in London)

in 1968 - One hit wonders The Lemon Pipers went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Green Tambourine' the song was a No.7 hit in the UK.

in 1968 - The Beatles started work on their new single ‘Lady Madonna’ at Abbey Road studios in London. Recording three piano and drum takes with overdub bass, fuzz guitars, drums, and vocals.in 1970 - Richie Kotzen, Mr. Big, is born. (1992 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'To Be With You'). Also worked with Poison. 1990, Born on this day, Sean Kingston, (Ka'Shon Anderson), Jamaican-American reggae, rap and pop musician. (2007 US and UK No.1 single ‘Beautiful Girls’).in 1972 - Jesper Kyd (Danish film and video game music composer) is born
in 1973 - Edward Lockspeiser, British composer, conductor and musicologist, dies at 67.in 1973 - Elton John started a three-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Crocodile Rock'. Elton's first of five US No.1 singles.

in 1973 - Andy Razaf/Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo dies at age 77. African American composer, poet, and lyricist born in Washington, D.C.. Some of his 800 songs include "Baltimo"', composed at the age of 17, was sung by members of The Passing Show of 1913 at Winter Garden, New York."Ain't Misbehavin'", "Black and Blue", "Garvey! Hats Off to Garvey", "Honeysuckle Rose", "In the Mood", "The Joint Is Jumpin"', "Keepin' Out of Mischief Now", "Louisiana", "Stompin' at the Savoy", "That's what I like about the South", and "U.N.I.A.". Some of the many artists who recorded Razaf's songs include: Jerry Lee Lewis, Glenn Miller, Moon Mullican, Fats Waller and Fats Domino. At seventy-six years of age, Andy Razaf, the most prolific black lyricist of twentieth century popular music, was finally recognized by his Tin Pan Alley peers in the songwriters Hall of Fame (sadly heart problems)
in 1975 - Robert Evett, American composer, writer, critic and editor, dies at 52.

in 1975 - Umm Kulthum dies at age 70. Egyptian singer, born in Tamay ez-Zahayra village in the Nile Delta, she is known as the Star of the East. More than 3 decades after her death, she is still recognized as one of Egypt's most famous and distinguished singers of the 20th century. Bob Dylan, Maria Callas, Jean-Paul Sartre, Marie Laforêt, Salvador Dalí, Nico, Bono, Farin Urlaub, and Led Zeppelin are known to be admirers of her music. One of her best known songs, “Enta Omri,” has been the basis of many reinterpretations, including one 2005 collaborative project involving Israeli and Egyptian artists. (Her funeral was attended by over 4 million mourners, one of the largest gatherings in history and descended into pandemonium when the crowd seized control of her coffin and carried it to a mosque that they considered her favorite, before later releasing it for burial)

in 1977 - Daddy Yankee/Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez (Puerto Rican reggaeton singer, rapper) is bornin 1978 - Eliza Schneider (US actress, singer) is bornin 1979 - Blondie had their first of five UK No.1 singles, with 'Heart Of Glass', taken from the band's third studio album, Parallel Lines. 'Heart of Glass' was originally recorded in 1975 under the name 'Once I Had a Love.'in 1979 - The Blues Brothers went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Briefcase Full Of Blues'.in 1969 - Matt Johnson (UK keyboardist; Jamiroquai) is born
in 1969 - John Spence (R&B singer; No Doubt) is born
in 1980 - Kim E-Z/Kim Eiji (US Korean singer; Baby V.O.X.) is bornin 1981 - Alisa Reyes (US actress, singer) is bornin 1982 - Jessica Harp (US singer; The Wreckers) is born
in 1985 - Everything But The Girl and The Woodentops appeared at the Studio, Bristol, England. in 1988 - Kyuhyun/Cho Kyu-hyun (Korean singer; Super Junior) is born

in 1989 - Lionel Newman dies at age 73. American conductor, pianist, and film and television composer; he started formal training in New York, beforemoving to Hollywood, where at the age of 16, he began conducting for impresario Earl Carroll. He continued his studies in LA with Joseph Achron and Mario Castelnuevo-Tedesco. In the 1930s, Lionel conducted national tours and worked as the piano accompanist for Mae West. After serving an apprenticeship conducting and orchestrating live shows, Newman joined 20th Century Fox as a rehearsal pianist under the guidance of his brother, Alfred Newman, and by 1959, he had been promoted to Musical Director for Television there. This opened the doors to feature films. He was soon made vice president in charge of music for both television and features. This soon resulted in a promotion to senior vice president of all music for Twentieth Century Fox Films. He wrote several classic TV themes for Fox, including The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Adventures in Paradise, and Daniel Boone. He joined 20th Century Fox as a rehearsal pianist under the guidance of his brother, Alfred Newman, and by 1959, he had been promoted to Musical Director for Television there. This opened the doors to feature films. He was soon made vice president in charge of music for television and features. This resulted in a promotion to senior vice president of all music for Twentieth Century Fox Films. He wrote several TV themes for Fox, including The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Adventures in Paradise, and Daniel Boone. Lionel received 11 Academy Award nominations, and won an Oscar for Hello Dolly! in 1969. He conducted the scores for Cleopatra, The Sand Pebbles, The Agony and the Ecstasy, The Long Hot Summer, The Young Lions, Alien, and The Omen. He was the musical supervisor for Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Monsignor, and The Fury. Also as a songwriter, he received a certificate of merit from Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) for over one million network performances of his 1948 hit, "Again", a pop standard that lived on long after its introduction in the film Road House (cardiac arrest)

in 1990 - during a European tour Bob Dylan started a six-night residency at London's Hammersmith Odeon.in 1990 - Sean Kingston/Kisean Anderson (US Reggae, hip-hop artist) is born
in 1990 - for the first time ever, the UK Top 3 singles featured non-British and non-American acts. Ireland's Sinead O'Connor, Australia's Kylie Minogue and Belgium's Technotronic. Sinead O'Connor had her first No.1 single with Nothing Compares To U', a song written by Prince.
in 1990 - Kisean Jamal Anderson "Sean Kingston," Jamaican-American reggae fusiion singer/songwriter, is born.

in 1990 - Felice Chiusano dies at age 67. Italian singer, self-taught guitarist and one of the singers of Quartetto Cetra, a popular Italian vocal quartet. Born in Fondi, southern Lazio, his native village before his twentieth birthday and moved to Rome. After work, he performed in local clubs as singer and guitarist. He successfully auditioned for EIAR, the Italian national radio broadcasting company, and worked as a singer for the various radio orchestras. In 1941 he replaced Enrico Gentile in the line-up of Quartetto Ritmo, a vocal quartet that immediately renamed to Quartetto Cetra. Felice was widely recognized as the "bald head" of Quartetto Cetra, famous for his humour and funny jokes. During 70s and 80s, as Quartetto Cetra gradually scaled back their public appearances, he also worked in the organization of shows and cultural events.

in 1992 - on their first Europe tour Pearl Jam played at The Esplanade Club in Southend, England to 300 people, the bands first ever UK show. The tour also took Pearl Jam to Norway, Sweden, Holland, France, Spain and Italy.

in 1992 - Junior Cook/Herman Cook dies at age 57. American tenor saxophonist, born in Pensacola, Florida. After playing with Dizzy Gillespie in '58, he gained some fame for his longtime membership in the Horace Silver Quintet '58-'64; when he played in Blue Mitchell's quintet 1964-'69. Later associations included Freddie Hubbard, Elvin Jones, George Coleman, Louis Hayes, Bill Hardman, and the McCoy Tyner big band. In addition to many appearances as a sideman, Junior recorded as a leader for Jazzland in 1961, Catalyst in 1977, Muse, and SteepleChase. He also taught at Berklee School of Music for a year during the 1970s and in the early 1990s Junior was playing with Clifford Jordan as well as leading his own group. (died in his apartment in New York City)

in 1993 - Radiohead appeared at The Wheatsheaf, Stoke On Trent, England, tickets cost £3.50 ($5.95).
in 1993 - Karel Goeyvaerts, Belgian composer and teacher, friend of Stockhausen, dies at 69.in 1993 - Mishon(US R&B singer) is born
in 1995 - Turner Foddrell, American blues singer/songwriter and guitarist, dies at 66.in 1996 - Queen Latifah was stopped by police for speeding who found a concealed weapon and marijuana, the singer was given two years probation. in 1996 - The Ramones claimed to have played their last gig in the UK, at The Brixton Academy, after 22 years together.
in 1996 - "Wild" Jimmy Spruill, American blues singer/songwriter, guitarist and bandleader, dies at 61. Spruill was also a session guitarist on many recordings from the 50's and 60's.

in 1998 - Fat Pat/Patrick Lamont Hawkins dies at age 27. American rapper from Houston, Texas and an original member of DJ Screw's Screwed Up Click. He was most prolific in the mid-1990s alongside his late brother Big Hawk and longtime friend Lil' Keke. Fat Pat was signed to Wreckshop Records and had hits with the singles "Wanna Be a Baller" and "Tops Drop" (Tragically Fat Pat was shot dead after collecting an appearance fee from a promoter's apartment)
in 1999 - Gwen Guthrie dies at age 48. American singer-songwriter born in Okemah, Oklahoma and raised in Newark, New Jersey. She became backing vocalist for Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Madonna among others. Gwen also wrote songs made famous by Ben E. King - "Supernatural Thing", and "This Time I'll Be Sweeter", and Roberta Flack's "God Don't Like Ugly". She co-wrote seven tracks on the Sister Sledge's 1975 album Circle of Love: "Cross My Heart", "Protect Our Love", "Love Don't You Go Through No Changes on Me", "Don't You Miss Him Now", "Pain Reliever", "You're Much Better Off Loving Me", and "Fireman" (cancer)

in 1999 - Tony Hadley singer with Spandau Ballet told a High Court in London of his "desperate" financial situation after his solo career failed. Hadley and band members Steve Norman and drummer John Keeble, were suing Spandau Ballet songwriter Gary Kemp for hundreds of thousands of pounds of allegedly unpaid publishing royalties. Hadley earned £120,000 a year during the band's heyday in the early 1980s, but the court heard that when he fell on hard times he was forced him to sell his home to pay off a £50,000 overdraft in 1993.

in 2001 - the commercial television regulator warned Granada TV about over- promoting its manufactured band from the show Pop Stars. It claimed Granada TV would make money from T- shirts, videos and calendars and was 'treading a fine line.' in 2002 - The Chemical Brothers scored their third UK No.1 album with ‘Come With Us.’

in 2002 - James Blackwood dies at age 82. American gospel singer, born in Choctaw County, Mississippi; in 1926, he and his brother Doyle developed an interest in gospel music, singing at church gatherings, camp meetings, schools and any place they saw the opportunity, and sang on WTJS in Jackson, Tennessee. He formed The Blackwood Brothers, a singing group, with his nephew R. W. and his brothers Roy and Doyle. They first broadcast was on radio station WHEF, AM 1500, in Kosciusko, Mississippi in 1934. The quartet soon began broadcasting on the larger WJDX in Jackson, later moving to Shreveport, Louisiana in 1939, and Shenandoah, Iowa in 1940. After WWII the quartet moved to Memphis and radio station WMPS in 1950. On June 12th 1954, they won first place on the CBS radio and TV program Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts Show. James, Cecil Blackwood and J. D. Sumner founded the National Quartet Convention in 1957, originally a 3-day event held at Ellis Auditorium in Memphis, Tennessee. As well as many group awards, James was honored with the GMA Dove Award Top Male Vocalist for 7 consecutive years (stroke)

in 2003 - the exclusive documentary 'Living With Michael Jackson' was shown on UK television. Reporter Martin Bashir had spent eight months with the star, the show's editor said, 'viewers will not believe what they're seeing.'
in 2004 - Sean “P. Diddy” Combs settled a $3 million (£1.76 million) court case filed by his former driver after an incident in 1999. Wardell Fenderson had driven Mr Combs and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez away from a New York nightclub where three people had been wounded in a shooting. Mr Fenderson said he was traumatized by having guns in the car and being ordered to ignore police orders to stop, for which he was arrested.
in 2004 - R. Kelly appeared in Court and entered of plea of not guilty to 21 charges of child pornography. Kelly, who was free on bond, did not talk during the brief hearing. Outside the Cook County Criminal Courthouse fans voiced their support for the singer, proclaiming his innocence with placards and T-shirts. Kelly had been arrested in Florida after he was indicted by a grand jury in Chicago on 21 counts of child pornography, stemming from a videotape that allegedly shows the star performing sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl.

in 2006 - former Dynasty star Heather Locklear filed for divorce from Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora after 11 years of marriage. Locklear, who was previously married to Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, and Sambora were married in 1994 and have an eight-year-old daughter called Ava.

in 2007 - Daughtry were at No.1 on the US album chart with their self-titled debut. Lead singer Chris Daughtry was the fourth-place finalist on the fifth season of American Idol. The album sold over a 1m copies after just five weeks of release, becoming the fastest selling debut rock album of all time. in 2008 - UK singer Adel went to No.1 on the UK album chart with her debut album ‘19’ .
in 2009 - Joven Deala dies at age 21. Philippino musician and the half-brother of Black Eyed Peas star Allan Pineda, aka, apl.de.ap. He was born and grew up in Barangay Sapang Bato. He migrated to America where he became a member of the Black Eyed Peas quartet. He returned several times to Sapang Bato where he gave financial help to local poor families (Joven was tragically gunned down while inside his sports utility vehicle outside of his girlfriend's apartment in the Philippines)
in 2009 - Tom Brumley dies at age 73. American steel guitarist who contributed to the "Bakersfield sound" of Buck Owens and the Buckaroos in the 60s before joining Rick Nelson. While with Buck, from '63-69, he traveled the world and played on recordings such as “Together Again,” "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail" and “Act Naturally”. Tom left The Buckaroos in 1969, when Ricky Nelson invited him to play steel guitar with his band for his "Live at the Troubadour" album, staying with Rick for 10 years. He also performed or recorded with artists including Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard, Chris Isaak, Waylon Jennings, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Ray Price and Rod Stewart and he spent three years recording and touring with Chris Hillman and the Desert Rose Band. From 1989 to 2003, he performed with his sons, Todd and Tommy, in the Brumley Family Music Show. He has been inducted into both the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame and the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame (died at Northeast Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, eight days after suffering a heart attack)

in 2010 - AC/DC singer Brian Johnson, joined a growing group of critics of Bob Geldof and U2 singer Bono over their very public charity work, saying they should stop lecturing audiences about charity work and instead do their good deeds in private. Johnson said “When I was a working man I didn’t want to go to a concert for some bastard to talk down to me that I should be thinking of some kid in Africa. I’m sorry mate, do it yourself, spend some of your own money and get it done. It just makes me angry.”

in 1549 - Eustache du Caurroy, French composer, is baptized. Du Caurroy was an official composer of the French royal chamber, as well as the royal chapel. His Missa pro defunctis was first sung at the funeral of Henry IV of France, and was used at the funerals of subsequent monarchs of France for the next two centuries or so.
in 1553 - Caspar Othmayr, German composer, dies at 37. Othmayr was a Protestant priest, and many of his compositions are hymns inspired by Martin Luther.
in 1581 - Daniel Selich, German composer and Kapellmeister, is born.
in 1590 - Gioseffo Zarlino, Italian organist, composer and music theorist, dies at 73. Zarlino is mainly remembered for his contributions to music theory, one of the first to develop counterpoint theory.
in 1751 - Blas de Laserna, Spanish composer and conductor, is baptized.
in 1781 - Josef Myslivecek, Czech composer and teacher, an early friend of Mozart, dies at 43.
in 1767 - Johann Franz Volkert, Bohemian composer and church singer, is born.
in 1834 - Amelie Julia Candielle, French composer, singer, librettist, writer, actress, and musicician (keyboards and harp), dies at 66.
in 1854 - Carl Ludwig Cornelius Westenholz, German violinist, pianist and composer, cies at 66.
in 1875 - Raymond Moulaert, Belgian composer and teacher, is born.

in 1876 - Victor Jean Leonard Vreuls, Belgian violinist, composer. conductor and teacher, is born.
in 1892 - Yrlö Henrik Kilpinen, Finnish composer, is born.
in 1893 - Bernard Rogers, American composer and teacher, is born.in 1894 - Adolphe Sax dies at age 79. Belgium inventor of the saxhorn, saxtrombas and the saxophone; the saxophones made his reputation, and secured him a job teaching at the Paris Conservatoire .in 1895 - Faustina Hasse Hodges, English-American composer and teacher, dies at 71.in 1900 - Jacques Prévert (French poet, lyricist) is born
in 1903 - Siro Cisilino, Italian priest and musicologist (composer?) is born. This is the third time I've encountered this situation so far. The "This Day" lists, including Classical Almanac (which should know), have him as a composer, but all other references call him a musicologist. He was apparently well respected in that field, as well as being a staunch opponent of certain reforms in the Catholic church. His main musicological interest seems to have been church music of the Baroque period in Italy. I found several articles relating to Cisilino's defense of the usus antiquior, all of which said that he was a musicologist, with no hint that he might have composed any music at all. I found one piece which calls him "musician and musicologist," and it appears he did at least one arrangement (a mass by Montiverdi), so I suppose it's possible that he composed something. (Recusant)
in 1904 - Predrag Milosevic, Serbian composer, conductor and teacher, is born.
in 1908 - Emmanuel "Manny" Klein, American jazz trumpeter, is born. Klein played with many important swing bands, as well as dong soundtrack work, and was considered one of the best in the business.
in 1910 - Alfred Mendelsohn, Romanian composer, conductor and teacher, is born.in 1912, Austrian conductor Erich Leinsdorf was born in Vienna

in 1915 - Ray Evans (US songwriter with Jay Livingston) is born
in 1916 - David Vassall Cox, English pianist, composer, arranger, music writer and critic, is born.in 1922 - Bhimsen Joshi (Indian classical singer) is bornin 1924, Chilean pianist Claudio Arrau made his American debut at Carnegie Hall
in 1927 - Thomas Linnemann Laub, Danish organist and composer, dies at 74.
in 1929 - Paul Burlison, American rockabilly guitarist and singer/songwriter (Rock and Roll Trio), is born. Though the trio's songs and style were influential in the development of rock, they never really hit it big. They're in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.in 1931 - Clarence Tate (US fiddler, bassist; Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys/freelance) is born
in 1931 - Marion Ryan (English singer) is born
in 1932 - Ivan Davis, American classical pianist and teacher, is born.
in 1934 - Jouko Sakari Linjama, Finnish organist, composer and church cantor, is born.
in 1935 - Martti Talvela, Finnish operatic bass, is born.
in 1941 - John Steel, English rock drummer (The Animals), is born.
in 1942 - Johnny Gambale, American R&B singer (The Classics), is born.
in 1944 - Florence LaRue Gordon, American R&B, pop and soul singer and actress (The 5th Dimension), is born.

in 1944 - Yvette Guilbert dies at age 79. French music-hall singer and actress, and was a favorite subject of artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who made many portraits and caricatures of Yvette and dedicated his second album of sketches to her. She made successful tours of England and Germany, and America and performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Even in her fifties, her name still had drawing power and she appeared in several silent films, including a star turn in Murnau's Faust. She also appeared in talkies, including a role with friend, Sacha Guitry. Her recordings for Le Voix de Son Maitre include the famous "Le Fiacre" as well as some of her own compositions such as "Madame Arthur." She accompanied herself on piano for some numbers. She once gave a performance for King Edward VII, the Prince of Wales at a private party on the French Riviera. Hostesses vied to have her at their parties. In 1932 she was awarded the Legion of Honor as the Ambassadress of French Song. Yvette also wrote books, some about the Belle Époque and in 1902 two of her novels were published. In the 1920's her instructional book L'art de chanter une chanson (How to Sing a Song) was published. Yvette also conducted schools for young girls in both New York and Paris

in 1947 - Margie and Mary Ann Ganser, American pop singers (The Shangi-Las), are born.
in 1948 - Vincent Damon Furnier "Alice Cooper" American rock singer/songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player, is born.
in 1949 - Roy Yeager, American country and rock drummer (Atlanta Rhythm Section), is born. Yeager owns his own recording studio, and has done session work with many artists.
in 1950 - James Dunn, American soul singer (The Stylistics), is born.
in 1950 - Robert Jan Stips, Dutch rock singer and keyboardist (Nits), is born.
in 1951 - Philip Ehart, American rock drummer (Kansas), is born.in 1951 - Dariush Eghbali (Iranian singer, musician) is born
in 1952 - Jerry Shirley, English rock drummer (Humble Pie, Fastway), is born.in 1953 - Kitaro/Masanori Takahashi (Japanese composer, keyboards, multi-musician) is born
in 1954 - Vaclav Vackar, Czech composer, violinist, trumpeter, conductor and bandleader, musicologist and critic, musician's union organizer, dies at 72.in 1955 - Elvis Presley played two shows (7.30pm and 9.30pm) at Jesuit High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Hank Snow was also on the bill. 1965, The Righteous Brothers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Phil Spector song 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'. Also a US No.1 at the same time. In 1999 the PRS announced that it was the most played song of the 20th Century.
in 1956 - Peder Gram, Danish organist and composer, dies at 74.in 1957 - Don Davis (US composer) is bornin 1960 - Tim Booth, is born, vocals, James, (1991 UK No.2 single 'Sit Down'), Solo.in 1960 - Jonathan Larson (US composer, playwrite) is born
in 1960 - Mark Dawson (British-born US entertainment manager; Iron Maidens) is born
in 1962 - Clint Black, American country singer/songwriter, multi-intrumentalist and producer, is born.in 1963 - Wasserman, is born, guitar, The Offspring, (1999 UK No.1 & US No. 59 single 'Pretty Fly, (For A White Guy)', 1999 US No.6 & UK No.10 album 'Americana'). in 1965 - Petr Muk (Czech pop singer, composer; Ocean/Shalom/solo) is born

in 1966 - Jonathan Gray "Spike" English rock singer/songwriter (The Quireboys), is born.in 1967 - The Monkees self-titled debut album started a seven-week run at No.1 on the UK chart.
in 1968 - billed as 'Tour 60 cities in 66 Days' The Jimi Hendrix Experience appeared at the Winterland in San Francisco.in 1968 - Steve Queralt, is born, Ride, (1992 UK No.9 single 'Leave Them All Behind').
in 1968 - Working at Abbey Road studios, London, The Beatles recorded ‘Across the Universe.’ John and Paul decided the song needed some falsetto harmonies so they invited two girl fans into the studio to sing on the song. The two were Lizzie Bravo, a 16-year-old Brazilian living near Abbey Road and 17-year-old Londoner Gayleen Pease.in 1969 - Duncan Coutts (Canadian bassist; Our Lady Peace) is bornin 1970 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono donated their hair for an auction in aid of the Black Power movement.in 1974 - Eric Townsend (US musician, record producer) is bornin 1975 - Rick Burch (US bassist; Jimmy Eat World) is born
in 1975 - American jazz, blues, songwriter and saxophonist Louis Jordon died aged 66. Known as "The King of the Jukebox", between 1942-1950 he scored eighteen No.1 singles and fifty-four Top Ten hits on the US R&B chart. 1978, Abba started a seven week run at No.1 on the UK chart with 'The Album' their third No.1 LP.
in 1975 - Natalie Imbruglia, Australian pop singer/songwriter and actress, is born.
in 1975 - Louis Jordan dies at age 66. American pioneering jazz, blues and rhythm & blues musician, songwriter and leader of his own band his Tympany Five, he enjoyed his greatest popularity from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. In this period he scored eighteen No.1 singles and fifty-four Top Ten placings and he duetted with some of the biggest solo singing stars of his day, including Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Known as "The King of the Jukebox", Louis was highly popular with both black and white audiences in the later years of the swing era. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him No.59 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. [one of Rescuant’s favorites]

in 1976, British composer Edward Benjamin Britten died in Aldeburgh, Suffolk at the age of 62.in 1976 - Cam'ron/Cameron Giles (rap artist) is bornin 1977 - Gavin DeGraw (US singer, piano, guitar) is bornin 1978 - Talking Heads plus special guests Dire Straits appeared at the Oasis, Swindon, England.
in 1978 - The Bee Gees started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Staying Alive'. From the film soundtrack Saturday Night Fever, it gave the brothers their fifth US No.1, also No.1 in the UK.
in 1978 - 'Up Town Ranking' by Althia and Donna was at No.1 on the UK singles chart. It was the Jamaican duo's only hit making the teenagers One-hit Wonders. 1982, Scottish singer Alex Harvey died of a heart attack while waiting to take a ferry back to shore after performing a concert with his new band, the Electric Cowboys. In an ambulance on the way to the hospital, he suffered a second heart attack, this one fatal. It occurred on the day before his 47th birthday, in Zeebrugen, Belgium. Formed Alex Harvey Big Soul Band in 1959 and then mid 1960's band Tear Gas. Had the 1975 UK No.7 single with Sensational Alex Harvey Band 'Delilah' and 1975 album 'Next'.in 1982 -Kimberly Wyatt (US singer, dancer; Pussycat Dolls) is born

in 1982 - Alex Harvey dies at age 46. Scottish rock and roll singer, born in Glasgow. In 1959, he formed Alex Harvey's Soul Band, and recorded blues and rock and roll material. In 1966, he a member of the pit band in the London stage production of the musical Hair recording the live LP 'Hair Rave Up'. In 1972, Alex formed the Sensational Alex Harvey Band with guitarist Zal Cleminson, bassist Chris Glen, and cousins Ted and Hugh McKenna on drums and keyboards respectively, all previous members of progressive rock act "Tear Gas". He built a strong reputation as a live performer during the 1970s glam rock era. The band was renowned for its eclecticism and energetic live performance, Alex for his charismatic persona and daredevil stage antics. The band had hits with "Delilah" in 1975, and "The Boston Tea Party" in 1976, Alex left the band later that year. (Died of a heart attack while waiting for a ferry in Zeebrugen, Belgium, the day before his 47th birthday)
in 1983 - Karen Carpenter dies at age 32. American singer and drummer; born in New Haven, Connecticut, Karen started on the drums in the school band while attending Downey High School. From 1965 to 1968, Karen, her brother Richard and his college friend Wes Jacobs, a bassist and tuba player, formed The Richard Carpenter Trio. The band played jazz at numerous nightclubs, and also appeared on a TV talent show called Your All American College Show. In April 1969 A&M Records signed Karen and Richard as the duo The Carpenters to a recording contract, with Karen as both the group's drummer and lead singer. She was later persuaded to stand at the microphone to sing the band's hits while another musician played the drums, although she still did some drumming. They released their debut album "Offering", later retitled Ticket to Ride, on October 9th 1969. Their 2nd album, 1970's Close to You, featured two massive hit singles: "(They Long to Be) Close to You" and "We've Only Just Begun". This has been followed by 14 more Carpenter albums and one Karen Carpenter solo album. Other of their many hit songs include "For All We Know (Theme from Lovers and Other Strangers), "Rainy Days and Mondays", "Superstar", "Hurting Each Other", "It's Going to Take Some Time", "Goodbye to Love", "Sing", "Yesterday Once More", "Top of the World", "Please Mr. Postman" and "Only Yesterday". Playboy's 1975 annual opinion poll, readers voted Karen Carpenter the Best Rock Drummer of the year, on October 12th 1983, the Carpenters received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in 1999 VH1 ranked Karen Carpenter at No.29 on their list of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll and in 2008 Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Karen Carpenter No.94 on their list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. The Carpenter's also won 3 awards and acheived 15 nominations (cardiac arrest due to the effects of anorexia nervosa)

in 1983 - The Smiths appeared at The Hacienda, Manchester, England.
in 1984 - Paul Gardiner bass player with Gary Numan's Tubeway Army died of a heroin overdose. in 1984 - Culture Club started a three-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Karma Chameleon' the group's 5th US Top 10 hit, also a No.1 in the UK.
in 1984 - Eurythmics scored their first UK No.1 album with their second release 'Touch', featuring the singles 'Here Comes The Rain Again', 'Who's That Girl' and 'Right By Your Side'.
in 1984 - Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble kicked off their 114-date 'Couldn't Stand the Weather tour' at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. 1985, John Cooper Clarke and Nico appeared at The Cricketers, Kennington, London, England

in 1984 - Paul Gardiner dies at age 35. English bassist born in Hayes, Middlesex; in early 1976 he was playing in a band called The Lasers when Gary Numan, then Gary Webb, auditioned as lead guitarist. The pair formed Tubeway Army, releasing the singles "That's Too Bad" and "Bombers" in 1978, "Down in the Park" and "Are 'Friends' Electric?" in 1979 and 3 albums. Paul also played on 6 Gary Newman solo albums, as well as recording with both Marc Anthony Thompson and Robert Palmer (died from heroin overdose)

in 1986 - Sigue Sigue Sputnik appeared at Shelleys, Stoke On Trent, England. 1989, Sheriff went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'When I'm With You', not a hit in the UK.

in 1987 – ‘Liberace’ /Wladziu Valentino Liberace dies at age 67. American pianist, singer, TV presenter; he appeared as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 16. He began giving concerts in flamboyant costumes with ornate pianos and candelabra, and though he occasionally performed with symphony orchestras, he built his career playing primarily popular music. The TV 'The Liberace Show', began on July 1st 1952, it was so popular he drew over thirty million viewers at any one time. His show was also one of the first to be shown on British commercial television in the 1950s, this exposure gave Liberace a dedicated following in the UK. Liberace also made significant appearances on other shows like The Ed Sullivan Show, The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford, Edward R. Murrow's Person to Person and on the shows of Jack Benny and Red Skelton, on which he often parodied his own persona. (died from complications related to AIDS)

in 1989 - Trevor Lucas dies at age 45. Australian guitarist, born in Melburne, he originally learned to play the guitar in order to help with his dyslexia and released his first two recordings in Australia before moving to England in 1965. In 1967 Trevor joined the band Eclection as the bass player and continued playing with them until their eventual breakup in 1969. At this time he was dating the lead singer of Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny, and appeared on Fairport's album Unhalfbricking. Trevor and Sandy then formed the band Fotheringay with Trevor playing acoustic guitar, Fotheringay released only one album and the band broke up the following year. He joined Fairport Convention in 1973 when he was helping with their album Rosie, but in April 1978, tragically Sandy had a fatal fall down a flight of stairs, leaving Trevor to raise their newborn daughter, Georgia, by himself. Shortly after Sandy's death he moved back to Australia with Georgia. In the 1980s, he was producing more albums and later started working on scores from the film industry. In 1985 he returned to England to work on a tribute album to Sandy Denny. (died of a heart attack in his sleep)

in 1989 - Kenneth C. Burns "Jethro" American country, jazz and bluegrass mandolinist, teacher and comedian (Homer and Jethro), dies at 68.in 1992 - Pearl Jam appeared at The Borderline in London, England, tickets cost £5 ($8.50).
in 1995 - Celine Dion started a seven-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Think Twice'. The song peaked at No.95 on the US chart. 'Think Twice' received an Ivor Novello Award for the Song of the Year in 1995.

in 1995 - David Alexander dies at age 56. Welsh singer and entertainer, born in Blackwood, Monmouthshire; whilst working at Pontins holiday camp, he was spotted by manager Byron Godfrey and in 1971 released his first single 'If I Could See The Rhondda One More Time'. It sold thousands of copies. 'Come Home Rhondda Boy' was the follow-up record that gave him an international presence in song festivals in Czechoslovakia, Malta and Germany, amongst other countries. In 1989, he also toured Australia (heart attack)
in 1996 - former Milli-Vanilli member Rob Pilatus was hospitalised after a man hit him over the head with a baseball bat in Hollywood, California. Pilatus was attempting to steal the man's car at the time of the attack. in 1998 - former lead singer of East 17, Brian Harvey, was fined £1,000 after being convicted of kicking a press photographer who was curled up on the ground in a ball. Harvey was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £2,852.
in 2000 - Bjorn Ulvaeus confirmed that the members of Abba had turned down a $1 billion (£0.58 billion) offer by American and British consortium to reform the group. “It is a hell of a lot of money to say no to, but we decided it wasn’t for us,” band member Benny Andersson told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.

in 2000 - Doris Coley dies at age 58. American singer, born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Doris was a founder member and occasional lead singer of the Shirelles. She initially left the group in 1968, but returned in 1975. The girl group formed in New Jersey in 1958, and went on to release a string of hits including "Baby It's You" , "Mama Said", "Foolish Little Girl", "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", "Soldier Boy" and "Sha La La". Doris sang lead on "Dedicated to the One I Love", "Welcome Home Baby", "Blue Holiday" and a number of 'b' sides and album cuts. She was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame along with The Shirelles in 1996 (breast cancer)

in 2000 - Joachim-Ernst Berendt dies at age 77. German journalist, music critic, music producer. After World War II he helped founding the Südwestfunk (SWF) radio network in the then French occupation zone of Germany. From 1950 till his retirement in 1987 he was in charge of the Jazz department of the SWF. In 1952 the first German edition of his "Jazz Book" was published. It became a definitive book on Jazz translated into many languages and is still being updated and reprinted. For almost 40 years he produced the Jazz program of the Baden-Baden station of the German public radio and TV network ARD. His weekly TV show Jazztime Baden-Baden and his daily radio shows were pioneer work in advancing and popularizing Jazz in post-war Germany. He later focused on world music and was one of its early promoters. Joachim initiated and organized many Jazz festivals including American Folk Blues Festival, Berliner Jazztage, and World Expo Osaka. He was producer of many records, mainly for MPS Records, and supported the Jazz & Lyrik project, combining Jazz performances with readings of poetry (he tragically died after a traffic accident which he was involved in as a pedestrian)
in 2001 - Iannis Xenakis dies at age 78. Greek, naturalised French, composer, music theorist and architect, born in Braila, Romania. By 1979, he had devised a computer system called UPIC, which could translate graphical images into musical results. He is commonly recognized as one of the most important post-war avant-garde composers. Iannis pioneered the use of mathematical models such as applications of set theory, varied use of stochastic processes, game theory, etc., in music, and was also an important influence on the development of electronic music. Among his most important works are Metastaseis, 1953–4 for orchestra, which introduced independent parts for every musician of the orchestra; percussion works such as Psappha, 1975 and Pléïades 1979; compositions that introduced spatialization by dispersing musicians among the audience, such as Terretektorh, 1966; electronic works created using Xenakis's UPIC system; and the massive multimedia performances Xenakis called polytopes
in 2001 - J. J. Johnson /James Louis Johnson dies at age 77. American trombonist, composer and arranger born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jay Jay was maybe the finest jazz trombonist of all time, there is not a trombonist alive who has not been influenced by the J. J. Johnson sound, he did for the trombone what Charlie Parker did for the saxophone. In the 1940s he played and toured with Clarence Love, Snookum Russell, Benny Carter's big band, Count Basie's Orchestra, Charlie Parker, the Dizzy Gillespie big band, Illinois Jacquet (1947-1949), and the Miles Davis Birth of the Cool Nonet. His own recordings from the era included such sidemen as Bud Powell and a young Sonny Rollins. Johnson, Oscar Pettiford (1951) and Miles Davis (1952), .In August 1954, he formed a two-trombone quintet with Kai Winding that became known as Jay and Kai. In the early 70s J.J. moved from New York to California to compose for cinema and television, where he scored movies such as Across 110th Street, Cleopatra Jones, Top of the Heap and Willie Dynamite, as well as TV series such as Starsky & Hutch, Mike Hammer and The Six Million Dollar Man. This amazing legendary musician remained at the top of his field for nearly 6 decades playing, touring and recording with the best until 2000 when so sadly he fell ill with prostate cancer (took his own life by shooting himself)

in 2001 - Atomic Kitten started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Whole Again', the group's first UK chart topper. The song was written by Andy McCluskey from OMD.
in 2003 - Courtney Love was arrested at Heathrow airport for 'endangering an aircraft' on a transatlantic flight. The singer was said to have hurled abuse at the cabin crew on the flight from Los Angeles to London after her nurse who was in an economy seat was barred access to sit with Love in the upper class cabin.

in 2003 - Charlie Biddle dies at age 76. Canadian jazz bassist and promoter, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but lived most of his life in Montreal, Quebec. After completing military duties in the US Armed Forces during World War II, serving in China, India and Burma, he went on to study music at Temple University in Philadelphia, where he started playing bass. In 1948, he arrived in Montreal while touring with Vernon Isaac's Three Jacks and a Jill. Charlie was fascinated by the fact that in Canada, you would see black jazz musicians playing alongside white jazz musicians as the best of friends, so he relocated to Montreal, Canada. As a promoter, he booked musicians Johnny Hodges, John Coltrane, Pepper Adams, Bill Evans, Art Farmer, Tommy Flanagan and Thad Jones to perform in Montreal. He performed off and on with guitarist Nelson Symonds between '59-78. He frequently organized outdoor festivals of local jazz musicians, particularly Jazz Chez Nous, a 3-day Jazz Festival in 1979 and another in 1983 which laid the foundation for the Montreal International Jazz Festival, now the world's largest jazz festival. Charlie received the Oscar Peterson Prize in 2000, was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2003, and was honored with the Prix Calixa-Lavallée in 2003. The Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society stated that: "Without him, Québecers might not have developed their love for jazz that has made Montreal a host of one of the greatest jazz festivals in the world."

in 2004 - police questioned Noel Gallagher after a photograph of him trespassing on a railway line appeared in a newspaper. The Oasis guitarist was in a studio in Cornwall recording the bands new album when he took a walk along the railway line. British Transport Police said 'he was setting a bad example.'
in 2007, a Razorlight’s gig in Lyon was halted mid-set because of an altercation between singer Johnny Borrell and bassist Carl Dalemo. The pair exchanged insults before they came to blows onstage. Borrell then stormed off leaving the French crowd amazed and unsure about what was going on.
in 2007 - Norah Jones scored her third UK No.1 album with 'Not Too Late', also a No.1 in the US and over 20 other countries.

in 2007 - Barbara McNair dies at age 72. African-American singer and actress; winning on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, led to bookings at The Purple Onion and the Cocoanut Grove and she soon became one of the country's most popular headliners and a guest on such television variety shows as The Steve Allen Show, Hullabaloo, The Bell Telephone Hour, and The Hollywood Palace, while recording for the Coral, Signature, and Motown labels. Among her hits were You're Gonna Love My Baby and Bobby. As well as appearing in many films, her Broadway credits include The Body Beautiful in 1958, No Strings in 1962, and a revival of The Pajama Game in 1973 (throat cancer)
in 2008 - Leona Lewis went to No.1 on the Australian album charts with her debut release ‘Spirit.’ 2009, Lux Interior, (Erick Lee Purkhiser) singer and founding member of The Cramps died aged 62. February 4th: Born on this day 1941, Born on this day, John Steel, drums, The Animals, (1964 UK & US No.1 single 'House Of The Rising Sun').

in 2009 - Steve Dullaghan dies at age 45. British singer-songwriter, bassist and co-founder of the indie rock band The Primitives in 1985. They recorded 4 albums ''Lovely'', ''Lazy'', ''Pure'', and ''Galore'' and 10 singles, having hits in UK and the US including "Crash", which he co-wrote, "Way Behind Me", "Sick Of It", and "Secrets". After leaving the Primitives he continued to write, perform and record music, both solo and in collaboration with other local musicians, as well as rejoining the Nocturnal Babies the band he played with before The Primatives (tragically died of heart failure due to smoking too much cannibis which caused a toxic reaction)
in 2009 - Lux Interior /Erick Purkhiser dies at age 62. American singer, songwriter and musician; a founding member and lead singer of the legendary garage punk band The Cramps from 1973 until his death. He took his name from an old car advert and he is described as one of rock ‘n’ roll’s wildest and most charismatic frontmen. The band moved from California to Ohio in 1973 and then to New York in 1975 where they became part of the flourishing punk scene. Their best known single was "Bikini Girls With Machine Guns"/"Jackyard Backoff" charted in both US and UK, and they recorded 15 studio albums, many appearing in the British charts (a pre-existing heart condition)

in 1662 - Giuseppe Vignola, Italian organist and composer, is born.
in 1705 - Jean Gilles, French composer, dies at 37.
in 1711 - Joseph Umstatt, Austrian composer and Kapellmeister, is born. His compositions show the development from Baroque to Classical.
in 1732 - Nathanael Gottfried Gruner, German composer, Kantor and director of music at the Gymnasium at Gera, is born.
in 1745 - Coelestin Praelisauer, German organist, composer and teacher, dies at 49.
in 1748 - Christian Gottlob Neefe, German organist, composer, conductor and teacher, is born. Neefe was one of Beethoven's teachers.

in 1758 - Bernhard Christian Weber, German organist and composer, dies at 45.
in 1779 - François Van Campenhout, Belgian violinist, tenor, conductor and composer, is born. Van Campenhout composed the music to the Brabançonne (national anthem of Belgium).
in 1810 - Ole Bornemann Bull, Norwegian virtuoso violinist and luthier, is born. Bull was a child prodigy, playing first violin in Bergen's orchestra theater at 9 years of age, and went on to a long life of international fame.
in 1812 - Franz Schneider, Austrian organist, composer and teacher, dies at 64.
in 1816 - Rossini's Opera Barber of Seville premieres in Rome.

in 1825 - Pierre Gaveaux, French tenor and opera composer, dies at 62.
in 1838 - Philippe Libon, Spanish-French violin virtuoso and composer, dies at 62.
in 1848 - Luigi Mancinelli, Italian cellist, composer and conductor, is born.
in 1862 - Felipe Villanueva y Gutiérrez, Mexican pianist, violinist and composer, is born.
in 1863 - Armand Parent, Belgian violinist, composer and teacher, is born.
in 1864 - Carl Teike, German composer, is born. Teike is remembered for his marches, in particular Alte Kameraden. I read that his superior officer looked at it and told him that they already had enough marches, "...throw this one in the oven." Teike resigned the military at that point and became a police officer.
in 1865 - Harvey Worthington Loomis, American composer, member of the Indianist Movement, is born. His most famous compositions/arrangements are the Lyrics of the Red Man.in 1866 - Rossetter Gleason Cole, American organist, composer, musicologist and teacher, is born.
in 1868 - Lodewijk Mortelmans, Belgian composer, conductor and teacher "the Flemish Brahms," is born.
in 1882 - Felice Lattuada, Italian composer and director of the Civica Scuola di Musica in Milan, is born.
in 1887 - Giuseppe Verdi's opera Otello premieres at La Scala.
in 1889 - Ioan Dumitru Chirescu, Romanian composer, is born.
in 1896 - Henry David Leslie, English composer, conductor and teacher, dies at 73. Leslie was involved in founding a national music school in 1878 which was the predecessor of the Royal College of Music.
in 1902 - Bronislaw Kaper, Polish-American film and television composer, is born. Kaper composed the music for nearly 150 films. One of his most famous tunes is the jazz standard "On Green Dolphin Street."
in 1907 - Ludwig Thuille, German composer and teacher, dies at 45.
in 1907 - Arnold Schönberg's 1st string quartet premieres in Vienna.
in 1909 - Grazyna Bacewicz, Polish violinist, composer and teacher, is born.
in 1911 - Society of Dutch Composers forms in Amsterdam.in 1911 - Johan 'Jussi' Björling (Swedish tenor) is born

in 1954 - Vittorio Gnecchi, Italian composer, dies at 77. Gnecchi was involved in a bizarre controversy, being accused of plagiarism in the composition of his opera Cassandra because of similarities to Richard Strauss' Elektra, even though he had composed his piece before Strauss'.in 1954 - Cliff Martinez (US composer, drummer; Captain Beefheart/Weirdos/Red Hot Chili Pepprs/others) is bornin 1957 - 5,000 fans greeted Bill Haley when he arrived from New York on the liner Queen Elizabeth at Southampton, for his debut UK concert tour. Haley was the first American rock artist to tour the UK.
in 1960 - Paul Jones, Welsh rock bassist (Catatonia), is born.
in 1960 - Rudolf Nelson, German composer and founder/director of the Nelson Revue, dies at 81.in 1962 - The Beatles played two shows, one at the Cavern Club at lunchtime and in the evening at the Kingsway Club in Southport. This was the first time Ringo Starr appeared live with the group after drummer Pete Best became ill.
in 1962 - Tommy Skeoch, American rock guitarist and singer/songwriter (Tesla), is born.
in 1962 - Jacques François Antoine Ibert, French composer, dies at 71.in 1964 - Duff McKagan, bass, Guns N' Roses, is born (1998 US No.1 & 1989 UK No.6 single 'Sweet Child O' Mine'). Velvet Revolver (2004 US No.1 & UK No.11 album ‘Contraband’). in 1964 - Sally Still, bass, Furniture, is born (1986 UK No.21 single 'Brilliant Mind').in 1964 - Alexia Vassiliou (Cypriot singer) is bornin 1968 - Luckeyeth Roberts dies at age 80. American jazz, ragtime, blues pianist and composer born in Philadelphia; he started out playing piano and acting professionally with traveling African American minstrel shows in his childhood. He settled in New York City about 1910 and became one of the leading pianists in Harlem, and started publishing some of his original rags. Luckey toured France and the UK with James Reese Europe during World War I, then returned to New York where he wrote music for various shows and recorded piano rolls. With James P. Johnson, he developed the stride piano style of playing about 1919. Luckey's noted compositions include Junk Man Rag, Moonlight Cocktail, Pork and Beans, and Railroad Blues

in 1969 - Bobby Brown, singer, New Edition, is born (1983 UK No.1 & US No.46 single 'Candy Girl') solo, (1988 UK No.6 & 1989 US No.1 single 'My Prerogative'). Married Whitney Houston 18th July 1992.
in 1964 - Sally Still, English pop bassist and songer (Furniture), is born.in 1965 - Keith Moseley (US bassist; The String Cheese Incident/Grateful Grass) is bornin 1966 - Petula Clark had her second No.1 in the US singles chart with 'My Love', (it made No. 4 in the UK). in 1967 - The Beatles filmed part of the promo clip for 'Penny Lane' around the Royal Theatre, Stratford, London and walking up and down Angel Lane. in 1967 - The News Of The World reported that Mick Jagger had taken LSD at the Moody Blues’ home in the UK. Jagger sued the paper for libel in an on-going feud between the News Of The World and The Stones.
in 1968 - Chris Barron, American rock singer/songwriter (Spin Doctors), is born.
in 1968 - Luckey Roberts, influential American ragtime, jazz and blues pianist and composer, dies at 80. Roberts is credited, along with James P. Johnson, with inventing the stride piano style, a bridge between ragtime and jazz.

in 1967 - Violeta del Carmen Parra Sandoval dies at age 49. Chilean folklorist and visual artist, born in San Carlos, province of Ñuble. She was involved in the progressive movement and the Socialist Party of Chile and revived the Peña, [pronounced- pain ya] now known as La Peña de Los Parra, a community centre for the arts and for political activism. Violeta set the basis for "New Song," La Nueva Canción chilena, a renewal and a reinvention of Chilean folk music which would absorb and extend its influence far beyond Chile. Her most renowned song, Gracias a la Vida/Thanks to Life, was popularized throughout Latin America by Mercedes Sosa and later in the US by Joan Baez. It remains one of the most covered Latin American songs in history. (Violeta committed suicide with a gunshot to her head, Allegedly, because of her depression over the breakup of her relationship with Swiss-Bolivian flautist Gilbert Favre)

I recommend comparing the two renditions of ‘Gacias a la vida’. I like them both. I like the way Baez musically celebrates life, yet I feel Mercedes Sosa is closer to parra’s intent.

in 1969 - Bobby Brown, American R&B singer/songwriter (New Edition), is born.in 1969 - The Move were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Blackberry Way', the group's only UK No.1. in 1970 - David Bowie recorded four songs at the BBC Paris Cinema, London, for the John Peel Sunday Concert radio show. This was guitarists Mick Ronson’s first appearance with Bowie. in 1971 - Sara Evans (US singer) is bornin 1972 - T Rex were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Telegram Sam', the group's third UK No.1 and taken from their album The Slider. in 1973 - Trijntje Oosterhuis (Dutch singer) is bornin 1975 - Adam Carson (US drummer; AFI) is born

in 1976 - Rudy Pompilli dies at age 51. American saxophone, clarenet player with Bill Haley & His Comets; born in Chester, Pennsylvania, he worked with the Ralph Marterie Orchestra prior to joining the Comets, scoring a hit with their version of "Crazy Man, Crazy". Soon after a 1974 tour of Europe, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He bravely continued to tour with Haley throughout 1975, including a tour of Brazil in October '75, and that year also recorded his first and only solo album, ''Rudy's Rock: The Sax That Changed the World'', which was recorded with session musicians and members of The Comets. He also continued to perform at the Nite Cap, a club in Chester; at one of his very last performances he performed with his former Comets bandmate Franny Beecher as well as then-current Comets guitarist Bill Turner (lung cancer)This clip is notable for featuring the great Rudy Pompilli on tenor sax. The other Comets are, Ray Cawley (bass), Freddie Moore (drums), Nick Masters (aka Nastos) on lead guitar and Ray Parsons (rhythm guitar). This tour of the UK coincided with "Rock Around The Clock" re-entering the UK top twenty.

in 1977 - Mary MacGregor started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Torn Between Two Lovers', it made No.4 in the UK.

in 1980 - Donald "Chubby" Anthony dies at age 43. American fiddler; raised in Shelby, N.C., he began playing music at the age of seven, winning the North Carolina fiddling championship at 12, and got his biggest break in the early 1950s, when he became the fiddler for the legendary Stanley Brothers. He played fiddle for the Stanleys until 1961. In the early 1970s, Donald played, with Robert McDougal and Kiel Brown, in the popular Tall Timber Bluegrass. Later, the band's name was changed to Big Timber, and along with guitarist, Bill Pruett and Banjo picker, Jimmy Fee, it was the band with which he performed until illness intervened (acute renal failure)

in 1982 - Dionysis Makris (Greek singer) is born
in 1982 - Wheesung/Choi Hwee-Sung (Korean R&B singer; A4/solo) is bornin 1983 - Def Leppard's album 'Pyromania', started a 92 week run on the US charts, it never reached No.1 but sold over 6 million copies in the US alone. in 1983 - Toto went to No.1 on the US singles with 'Africa'; a No.3 hit in the UK. in 1985 - Pete Burns, Judas Priest, Sade and Lemmy all appeared on UK music show The Old Grey Whistle Test. in 1985 - Lindsey Cardinale (US singer) is bornin 1987 - Darren Criss (US actor, singer) is bornin 1988 - Kevin J Maclean (Scottish singer-songwriter) is born
in 1989 - Joseph Guilherme Raposo Jr., American pianist, composer and songwriter, dies at 51. Raposo is best remembered for his work on Sesame Street, for which he wrote the theme song, and a number of other songs.

in 1989 - Joseph Raposo Jr, OIH idies at age 51. Portuguese-American composer, songwriter, pianist, television writer and lyricist, best known for his work on the children's television series Sesame Street, for which he wrote the theme song, as well as classic songs such as "Bein' Green" and "C is for Cookie". He also wrote music for television shows such as The Electric Company, Shining Time Station and the sitcoms Three's Company and The Ropers, including their theme songs. In addition to these works, Joe also composed extensively for the Dr. Seuss productions Halloween Is Grinch Night, Pontoffel Pock, Where Are You? and The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma)

in 1991 - Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty of KLF were arrested in Battersea, London after painting a logo on a Sunday Times billboard ad. in 1992 - touring Australia and New Zealand for the first and only time Nirvana appeared at the ANU Bar in Canberra, Australia.
in 1994 - Kenneth "Buddy" Scott, American blues singer/songwriter and guitarist (The Scott Brothers), dies at 59.in 1994 - Saki Nakajima (Japanese singer) is born
in 1995 - Frederick Craig Riddle, English violinist, dies at 82.
in 1996 - Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Italian pianist, composer, conductor and musicologist, dies at 86.
in 1998 - Tim Kelly dies at age 35. American guitarist born in Trenton, New Jersey; he played in a few bands during his career which included Hellion, and Allegiance. After which he teamed up with Mark Slaughter to form a new group with their own original music, thus, the group Slaughter was formed in Fall of 1988. In their first album 'Stick It to Ya', he wrote and performed an instrumental piece called "Thinking of June" which he dedicated to his sister who died in 1982. In all, Tim released four studio albums with the band, and two live albums; the last ''Eternal Live'', was released posthumously and includes a pictorial and video tribute to Tim which was quickly put together by Blas Elias and Pat Lucero. (car accident while traveling on Highway 96 in Arizona, his vehicle was hit head on when an 18 wheeler crossed the middle line)

in 1999 - The members of *NSYNC made a guest appearance on 'Sabrina The Teenage Witch' on US TV.

in 2001 - Juliet Peters appeared in a London court accused of making death threat's to singer Billie Piper. Peter's had made threatening telephone calls to the singer threatening to decapitate her and burn her body. The court listened to tapes of the 13 calls she has made to the singers record company.
in 2002 - S Club 7 played the first night of an eight date UK arena tour at The Manchester Evening News Arena, tickets £20.
in 2003 - Courtney Love blamed her bad language for the alleged air rage incident that led to her arrest at London's Heathrow Airport. As she left Heathrow's police station the singer said: "I cussed at a lady-my daughter always said I had a potty mouth." When asked what it had been like inside the police station, the singer said: "It was fine. They were wonderful in there. It was like being on Prime Suspect."
in 2004 - Janet Jackson's right breast became the most searched-for image in net history, Jackson's breast was seen by millions on TV after Justin Timberlake pulled at her bodice during a duet. Search engines reported a big jump in searches for Janet Jackson and Super Bowl, as people turned to the web for images of the event.
in 2006 - The Rolling Stones played three songs during the half-time show of The Super Bowl in Detroit. After the event, the Stones expressed their displeasure over having Mick Jagger's microphone turned down during the song "Start Me Up". The line "you make a dead man come" was cut short and a barnyard reference to "cocks" in the new song "Rough Justice" also disappeared.

in 2007 - producer Phil Spector won $900,000 (£459,000) after settling an embezzlement claim. Spector said former assistant Michelle Blaine removed $425,000 (£216,000) from his pension and did not repay a $635,000 (£324,000) loan. Ms Blaine claimed the loan was a gift, and the pension funds were for a film aimed at improving Spector's image. As part of the settlement, she dropped a counter-claim of sexual harassment.
in 2008 - Amy Winehouse was questioned by police in connection with a video apparently showing her smoking a crack-cocaine pipe. The singer who was not arrested, was interviewed under caution after the video was posted online by the Sun newspaper.